Advice issued on mobile phone thefts as Laois prepares for major events

Laois gardaí have issued some timely advice around keeping mobile phones safe as the county prepares for major events such as Forest Fest, the Electric Picnic and the National Ploughing Championships.  

They warned that criminals who obtain mobile phones have also previously impersonated gardaí in an attempt to access banking details on stolen mobile phones.

“We pride ourselves on being part of a bigger team behind two of the biggest events in Ireland in Laois and Offaly with Electric Picnic held in Stradbally and the National Ploughing Championships being the home of the Ploughing. But wherever you end up at events the one thing we tend to see is phones being lost or stolen,” Gardaí explained on social media. 

“We know how important it is to keep your phone safe and dry at events. We especially end up with a lot of high-end mobile phones every year. Here are a few tips to help you out.

It’s a good idea to set a friend or family member’s contact number as your phone's screen saver. This will help establish ownership if your phone gets handed in to us at An Garda Síochána or onsite security. For example, ‘This phone belongs to [First Name]. If found, please contact [Number].’

Take note of your phone's unique 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. You can find this number on the back of your handset under the battery or by pressing *#06# on your phone's keypad – it will appear on your screen. Save a screenshot of your IMEI number and email it to yourself or a friend for safekeeping.” 

Additionally, Gardaí urged people to update the emergency contact details on their phones, so they can be accessed even if the phone is locked. 

Gardaí are also reminding people that a tent is not a secure place to leave anything valuable.

“Lastly, be aware that there have been incidents of criminals pretending to be Gardaí to access phones and bank accounts. We will never ask for such information.

If you follow the above advice, we’ll be able to return your phone to you without needing to access it. Stay safe and have fun!,” gardaí said.